Contents

About the course

Our course ensures that our Associate Teachers are able to teach ages 11-18 across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

As a school centred scheme we are able to ensure that Associate Teachers are involved in the classroom right from the start of the course, observing experienced teachers teach and then gradually developing their confidence and ability to take an increasing responsibility for the planning and delivery of lessons.

Associate Teachers form close working relationships with their mentors and with other colleagues in the departments in which they are placed.

The views of the Associate Teachers are valued: they give regular Quality Assurance feedback so that concerns and suggestions can be responded to and acted upon.

How this course is organised:

A typical week would involve: general professional studies sessions at the lead school; a meeting with a subject mentor and a subject-specific training session provided by one of the subject mentors.

During the two block teaching practices regular meetings with mentors and subject-specific training sessions continue though the other sessions mentioned above are discontinued.

What is taught on this course:

Subject knowledge

Teaching methodology

ICT skills

General professional studies topics such as how children learn, education in a multi-ethnic society etc.

What it is to be fully involved in all aspects of the life of the host school.

Assessment is by a variety of methods:

A portfolio of evidence built up over the full course

A standards log to measure your progress against the NCTL standards as in Qualifying to Teach

A number of presentations and three longer assignments which aim to develop powers of observation and reflection, the ability to relate published data to your own classroom research and, finally, the ability to experiment with different teaching styles and methodologies.

Study facilities and support:

The scheme supports Associate Teachers with relevant ICT equipment.

A small professional library is kept at the lead school and course members have access to specialised material at the University of Leicester.

Interview process

Applicants who are invited to interview would normally spend a day in one of the Partnership schools. During this time they would be given a tour of the school and spend time talking to staff and pupils in classes. They would be interviewed by one of the Directors of the scheme and by a subject mentor. During the interview they would be asked, depending on their subject, may give a short presentation/speak in their foreign language/complete a subject specific test/deliver a short practical.

In addition, all candidates are asked to complete a generic, short written task.

How school placements work

Arrangements for teaching placements:

Associate teachers spend the first week of the course observing in a primary school (this is organised by the trainee at a school of their choice)

From the second week of the course Associate Teachers are based in one of the Partnership schools except for the ten weeks of their main block practice when they will be placed in one of the other schools in the Partnership.

We value the experiences that our Associate Teachers bring with them and we try to be flexible in meeting their particular needs when placing them in their host schools.

In order to find the most suitable placement for each trainee, we look at the distance they would have to travel from home to school, the age ranges they will be teaching and the availability of the most appropriate School Based Tutor.

Fees

The course fees for 2019/2020 are as follows:

Student type

Fees to pay

UK students

£9,000

EU students

£9,000

The Grand Union Training Partnership has made a conscious decision to freeze our tuition fees for 2019-20 so they will remain at £9000. We will, of course, continue to provide the usual outstanding quality of training for which we are renowned.

Financial support

You could be eligible for either:

a scholarship of £28,000

a bursary of £26,000

To qualify for a scholarship you’ll need a degree of 2:1 or above in Physics or a related subject. For a bursary you’ll need a 2:2 or above in any subject.

You can’t claim both a bursary and a scholarship - you can only claim one.

Financial support from the training provider

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum degree required: Lower Second

A relevant degree

GCSEs Grade C or 4 or above in English and Maths

Personal qualities

Associate Teachers are selected from a wide age range with a good balance of people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Some will be straight from university; others may have had considerable experience of another career. A majority of our Associate Teachers come from within a 25 mile radius of the Partnership schools.

Successful candidates are able to show:

A commitment to teaching which may be demonstrated by evidence of previous work with young people.

Support and advice

Get support and advice about teaching

Register with Get into Teaching, the Department for Education’s free support and advice service, for personalised guidance from teaching experts. They can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events. You can also call them free on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service, from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

Website support

If you have feedback or have had a problem using Find postgraduate teacher training you can contact us by email.

Is there something wrong with this page?

For personalised support and advice about teacher training, register with Get into Teaching.
You can also call them free on 0800 389 2500, or speak to an adviser using their online chat service,
from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.